The 3-month-long RAK Diabetes Challenge 2022 (RAKDC22) concluded today with the announcement of the winners during a prize distribution ceremony held at the RAK Hospital premises in Ras Al Khaimah. The one of its kind challenge aimed at reducing the biomarkers of the disease proved that diabetes can be very effectively managed and even reversed by modifying your lifestyle. This was evident from the fact that almost all the participants showed significant improvement in their HbA1c levels, from an average reading of 7.49 (diabetic) it was brought down to 5.07 (non-diabetic) along with an average weight loss of 4 kg and a 5% improvement in overall lifestyle index. Worthwhile to note that 70% of the participants were overweight and had an HbA1C of above 5.7 at the beginning of the competition.
Bagging AED 5000 cash prize, Mr Bahawooddin Saiyed, a 58 years old British national, a teacher by occupation and a resident of Sharjah emerged as the overall winner and also received the first prize in the Physical Category Male. He achieved an overall indexed improvement of 38.38% marked by~50% reduction in HbA1c levels to 5.8 and a weight loss of 11KGs.
Ms Saira Waseem Malik was the recipient of similar honours in the Female category of physical participants having demonstrated a total improvement of 28.73%. Second & third-prize winners in both the male & female categories received cash prizes of AED 3000 and AED 2000 respectively. The winners of the RAKDC22 Corporate Challenge were Stevin Rock and Saqr Port.
In the virtual category, Ms Sindu George Bosco surpassed the rest of the challengers. She along with second and third-ranked contestants received staycation vouchers from Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah. Additionally, the top 10 participants from across all categories received a complimentary RAK Hospital Swiss Health Check Voucher worth AED 1500 each.
Mr. Khalid Abdulla Mohammed AlShehhi, Director of the Representative Office, Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) – Ras Al Khaimah graced the awards ceremony as the Chief Guest and encouraged the winners and participants alike.
RAK Diabetes Challenge 2022, a novel concept launched first time in the country in association with the Ministry of Health and Prevention, Ras Al Khaimah witnessed nearly 3000 enrollments & participants vying actively for the top 3 spots across various groups- Physical Category (Male), Physical Category (Female) & Virtual Category. The corporate sector also actively engaged by registering their employees for the competition.
Congratulating the winners and participants alike, Dr. Raza Siddiqui, Executive Director, RAK Hospital said: “RAK Diabetes Challenge 2022 was a unique endeavour, undertaken for the first time ever in the region. Its phenomenal success is indeed a huge leap towards RAK Hospital’s goal of leading society and people from illness to wellness. It clearly establishes that we can win the battle against the global pandemic of diabetes by adopting a continually holistic and preventive lifestyle. The results of RAK Diabetes Challenge 2022 would encourage one and all to develop a healthier lifestyle in general whilst accelerating the adoption of a multi-disciplinary approach in the overall management of diabetes.”
Adding further, Prof. Adrian Kennedy, Chief Wellness Officer, Arabian Wellness and Lifestyle Management, the wellness division of RAK Hospital stated, “If not managed well, Diabetes causes a wide range of complications including, and not limited to, coronary artery disease, diabetic retinopathy, kidney problems, atherosclerosis, diabetic neuropathy etc. leading to a huge drop in quality of life for patients and their caretakers. Through RAK Diabetes Challenge 2022, our attempt was to bring a positive change for individuals, communities and society by empowering them with the information and education essential for the superior medical and lifestyle management of Diabetes. We at RAK Hospital are extremely happy with the outcome and are sure that this success would be emulated soon with enhanced and even more enthusiastic participation from the society.”
As a result of the challenge, the participants are healthier and lighter and benefit from a considerably diminished risk of various life-threatening complications caused by a high HbA1c. All the participants were assessed on improvement in their blood glucose levels, weight & BMI and lifestyle at the beginning and end of the challenge. An automated formula, in conformity with global practices, devised by RAK Hospital was used to evaluate the overall indexed progress of each participant and for identifying the winners.
Looking back at the journey & experiences of the last 12 weeks with RAK Diabetes Challenge 2022, the winner, Mr. Bahawooddin Saiyed said, “The journey started with having the determination to succeed in winning this battle against this silent killer. Knowing that Type 2 diabetes can be reversed and also seeing the effect it has had on certain members of my family I was intent on turning things around.
With the support of my family, I made the necessary dietary changes and most of all reduced my portion sizes, ate my meals at prescribed times, increased vegetable intake, reduced rice, potato and bread intake and didn’t eat after 7 pm. The dietary changes had to go hand in hand with walking for 35/40 minutes on a daily basis. To increase one’s longevity; we need to consider making lifestyle changes. It’s a MUST rather than a wish. This is by no means over for me; it is just the start of a journey to achieving a healthier lifestyle.
Moreover, the weekly webinars by RAK Hospital medical experts kept me motivated too. They gave a great deal of insight into what diabetes is and how it can be overcome – thanks for this. A great deal of effort has been put into this initiative and I congratulate the RAK hospital leadership team for driving this forward.”
Talking about her journey, ecstatic, Saira Waseem, the winner in the Physical Category Female said, “I am a diabetic for the last 10 years but this is the very first time my HbA1c is within its desired range. It is really a big achievement for me. And all this was possible because of RAK Diabetes Challenge. It motivated me to make changes in my lifestyle by providing guidance on meal plans, exercise routine and other things, the weekly webinars conducted as part of the challenge were immensely helpful. I was encouraged to incorporate regular walks into my schedule. I cannot thank RAK Hospital enough for initiating me into this journey of transformation, now I feel more energetic and active. I think health-related challenges like these should be held every once in a while to keep us motivated & healthy.”
RAKDC22 was supported by RAK Insurance and Waldorf Astoria as Silver Sponsors whereas Hilton Resorts & Spa, Cove Rotana, Double Tree by Hilton and Rixos Bab Al Bahr RAK were the Bronze Sponsors. For more details on the challenge, please visit https://www.rakdiabeteschallenge.com/
Winners (Physical Category – Male)
- Bahawooddin Saiyed
- Rizwan Rahat
- Michael Formales Mascarina
Winners (Physical Category – Female)
- Saira Waseem Malik
- Lourdes Mapoy Dimaunahan
- Sapana joshi
Winners (Virtual Category)
- Sindu George Bosco
- Zarina Begum
- Paramprit Kaur Harkirat Singh
Winners (Corporate Category)
- Stevin Rock
- Saqr Port
